Technology to recover pure silicon from solar cells

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It is well known that solar cells have a useful life, so there are some components that must be recovered when these cells reach their end.

The technology used involves applying a technique that is under study and research, the studies are focused on using three chemicals with the objective that these chemicals can separate the silicon from the solar cell. The advantage in the possibility of applying this technique is that silicon can be obtained that is recycled and that is obtained with a high purity.

Certainly there are conventional methods that are used to recycle silicon from photovoltaic devices, however this new innovative technology completely rules out the use of hydrofluoric acid, since this chemical is highly toxic and highly dangerous for this silicon removal process, the simple fact that we can avoid the use of hydrofluoric acid is a breakthrough because it is still necessary to recycle silicon from solar cells.

Among the chemical compounds used in the new technique are the following:
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
nitric acid (HNO3)
Phosphoric acid.

The importance of using these compounds is that they have a higher percentage of recovery in the concentration of silicon, this brings as a consequence an economic improvement, since the silicon recovered from the recycling of photovoltaic panels can be used in the manufacture of new solar panels, besides being able to use this recycled silicon in the manufacture of electronic components such as diodes, transistors and microchips, among others.

In conclusion, with this new technology to be implemented we would be obtaining an economic, safety and recycling benefit for the manufacture of other electronic components. We hope that the studies involved can be useful to continue developing new sustainable forms of technological development in the future.

Reference consulted and recommended